Pastor’s Welcome
Pastor Lester Wolfgram Welcomes You
Thank you for your interest in Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND. The people at Shepherd of the Valley value relationships. The most important relationship that we seek to nurture is a faith relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We celebrate that He has made us His forgiven children through His death and resurrection. His love for us moves us to deeply care for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
We also strive to connect God’s Word to the lives of God’s people. As we deal with the stresses and difficulties of life, God’s Word is applied to our various situations in giving us forgiveness, peace, and hope. We also desire to put our faith in action as we care for one another and serve the needs of our community.
Jesus Christ is the center of everything Shepherd of the Valley preaches and teaches. He is both God and Man who came to earth to suffer and die for the sins of all people. In Him we have complete forgiveness of sins and the free gift of eternal life.
If you are looking for a church home, please contact us, or come visit us any Wednesday night, or Sunday morning. We would love to have you join us!
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Mission Statement: “In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world.”
Pastor Justin Woodside
Pastor Justin Woodside was born in sunny Riverside, California. He earned his B.A. in History with a minor in Philosophy from UC Riverside in 1996, and went on to be a Middle School/High School History teacher for nearly 20 years in the public school system. In 2016, Pastor Woodside and his family made the move across the country to attend Seminary at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the hope of becoming a Pastor in the LCMS. He currently serves as Assisting Pastor at Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
Pastor Woodside lives here in Bismarck, ND with his wife Victoria and their 5 children. In his spare time he enjoys reading, playing guitar, and playing board games with his family.
Contact Pastor Woodside at pastorwoodside@gmail.com
What Do We Believe?
Shepherd of the Valley is a congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Our Church believes that:
- The Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is the one, true, living and almighty God.
- The Bible, the inspired Word of God, is the only reliable
Pastor Les Wolfgram
His first Call was to serve Trinity Lutheran in Tolley and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Flaxton, ND. He served the Tolley/Flaxton parish from 1992-1998. In 1998 he received the Call to serve Shepherd of the Valley in Bismarck where he has served since then.
The Lord has blessed Pastor and Denise with three children. Andrew was born in St. Louis in 1992. Grace and Dane were both born in Minot, ND. Grace was born in 1994 and Dane was born in 1998.
Their children have had the opportunity to attend Martin Luther School where Denise teaches English, religion, and directs two choirs. She also offers piano lessons through the Luther Academy of Music and serves Shepherd of the Valley in various capacities.
Pastor Wolfgram has served as a Law Enforcement chaplain with the Bismarck Law Enforcement Chaplaincy since 1999 and currently serves as Senior Chaplain for the ND Highway Patrol. He also serves on the ND Lutherans For Life State Federation Board of Directors, Director of the Division of Congregational Health for the North Dakota District LC-MS, and on the Regional Human Rights Committee in Bismarck.
The Wolfgram family enjoys their 2.28 acre property north of Bismarck with their two dogs and two cats. Pastor Wolfgram enjoys spending time with his family, reading, working in the yard, playing guitar, and various sports.
Lay Ministry
Evangelism
Stewardship
Trustees
Youth
Shepherd of the Valley provides extensive ministry opportunities for Junior and Senior High youth. Youth Ministry at Shepherd strives to help support parents and better equip them to teach and live the faith as well as provide opportunities for you to come together to fellowship, serve God and others, and grow in faith.
Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people does the sanctuary seat?
A: 250 people.
Q: Can a non-member use the church for a wedding?
A: Yes, contact Pastor Wolfgram for more information.
Q: Can a non-member use the church for a funeral?
A: Yes, contact Pastor Wolfgram for more information.
Q: How often does Shepherd of the Valley offer the sacrament of Holy communion?
A: Holy communion is offered every Sunday except the Fifth Sunday of the month.
